Lewis Cope’s girlfriend, Rach Lopez, has taken to social media to pen a lengthy tribute to her other half following his exit from Strictly Come Dancing.

Despite spending week after week near the top of the leaderboard and racking up a handful of perfect scores along the way, Musicals Week proved to be the actor’s downfall as his and Katya Jones’s Salsa failed to hit the lofty heights they’d previously reached.

Mr Cope missed out on a semi-final spot as Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were backed unanimously by the Strictly judges during the dance-off.

The elimination has gone down as a “robbery” and “the biggest shock in Strictly history” according to some angry fans, but Mr Cope has remained gracious and grateful throughout despite being admittedly “gutted”.

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope faced Amber Davies in the dance-off | BBC

He and pro dance partner Ms Jones sat down with Fleur East on Monday’s It Takes Two to discuss their time on the show together, as well as their exit, for the first time in a rather tearful affair.

And soon after the emotional interview, Ms Lopez decided it was her turn to pay tribute to the actor for his performance on the show.

“Lew. Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it,” she began alongside a love heart emoji. “Watching you on Strictly has been one of the greatest highlights of my life.

“Watching you grow into this braver, freer version of yourself has made my heart so full.”

Ms Lopez continued: “Every time you stepped onto that floor, I saw a little more of your soul shine through. You danced with truth, with kindness, with a depth that can’t be taught — it can only be lived.

“The way you turned the competition into a celebration of your phenomenal partner Kat, your family and Hartlepool — rather than yourself, has reminded me day after day why I love you — your selflessness isn’t an act, it’s who you are.

“Week after week, you showed up with heart, courage, and so much vulnerability.

“What most people never saw was the pressure you carried, especially with everyone assuming you’d walk in as a trained dancer (which you absolutely weren’t!). But you handled those expectations with such grace and gave everything you had, every single day.”

Her lengthy tribute to her other half continued: “Lewis Cope you are a man who loves fiercely, gives generously, and carries the weight of expectations with quiet strength. Seeing you open up in ways even you didn’t know you could has been the most beautiful journey to witness.

“You may not be bringing home the glitterball, but you’re bringing home something far more meaningful — strength, confidence, and a whole new part of yourself. And that is what truly matters.

“It has been an honour watching everything you and katya created. What you have is so rare and precious. Your energy paired with katyas was pure light and passion. The nation was left speechless every week.”

She signed off: “I love you, and every one around you loves you always. Thank you for being beautifully authentically you. I have loved watching you fall in love with life & dance Xxx.” (sic)

Inevitably, it didn’t take long for fans to react to the heatfelt post, including Mr Cope himself.

“And this is why I love you so much,” the Emmerdale actor penned along with love heart emojis. (sic)

Meanwhile, Katya Jones liked the statement, as did fellow Strictly stars Amy Dowden, Luba Mushtuk, and Balvinder Sopal.

Ms Sopal will join Ms Davies, George Clarke, and Karen Carney in this weekend’s semi-final as the final four battle it out for a spot in the grand finale.